Docetaxel/epirubicin

An event is serious (based on the ICH definition) when the patient outcome is:

* death

* life-threatening

* hospitalisation

* disability

* congenital anomaly

* other medically important event

In a study of 150 patients, 3 patients (1 woman) [not all sexes stated] aged 41−56 years were described, who developed febrile neutropenia and neutropenic typhlitis following treatment with docetaxel and epirubicin for breast cancer. Of these three patients, the 42-year-old woman also experienced drug toxicity and died due to neutropenic typhlitis.

Patient 1: The 42-year-old woman, who had breast cancer stage II, was initiated on the first course of chemotherapy with IV docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and IV epirubicin 75 mg/m2every three weeks. Eight days after receiving the first course, she presented to the emergency room due to diverse symptoms. She presented with grade 4 febrile neutropenia despite receiving prophylactic therapy with pegfilgrastim. Her symptoms included grade 3...